Reading 1: Genesis 11-12

The genealogy here in Gen 11 is fascinating. Notice the change in life expectancy after the flood. People before the flood were living approx 1000 years (see ch. 5) Now they are living approx 500 years until Peleg, where it halves again. This second halving takes place at the Tower of Babel incident (see ch. 10:25 for the evidence). An interesting result of this can only be seen in a diagram:

This simple (and fairly approximate) timeline shows that Shem enjoyed seeing the birth (and death except in the case of Eber) of the next nine generations - and in fact, although it is not in this chapter, he was alive for the birth of Isaac and almost certainly the death of Abraham, though he may not have physically seen them. One other thought - looking from Abrams point of view. Look how much family he left behind in Ur of the Chaldees. What an act of faith. Heb 11:8

12:4-5 - Abram believed that the blessing of the Almighty would make up for all he could lose or leave behind, supply all his wants, and answer and exceed all his desires; and he knew that nothing but misery would follow disobedience. Such believers, being justified by faith in Christ, have peace with God. We can too if we follow in this way. Phil.3:10-14

In playing chess a whole strategic plan can be ruined by one completely unexpected but well thought out move by your opponent. We might have thought out our strategy and considered all the countermoves our opponent may make, but there is always the move we were not expecting.

The same happened at Babel. God wanted the earth populated but men thought they knew better and began to build a city and a tower which became known as Babel. It was then that God threw in the "Wild Card". It was the move that had not even crossed their minds. God created a diversity of languages and because people couldnt understand each other, they split up and began to do what God had planned for them to do in the first place - populate the earth.

The same can happen in our own daily lives. We may consider all the possible future outcomes for a decision, only to discover that God has thrown in a "wild card" which throws us into absolute confusion and turmoil. But in all the confusion we can be sure that God is working out his plan and that everything is going to work out for the best. Trust him. He knows what he is doing.

11:30 In telling us that Sarai was barren the scene is being set for the things that are to follow in Abrahams life - that it is recorded before he left Ur tells us that this piece of information will be crucial later in the record.

12:17 That God plagued Pharaoh was essential lest it might be said later that the first child Sarai bore was not Abrahams but an Egyptian.

Genesis 11 - The Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge suggests that this chapter is set just 100 years after the flood. How soon men forget the most tremendous judgements, and go back to their former crimes! Though the desolations of the deluge were before their eyes, though they sprang from the stock of righteous Noah, yet even during his lifetime, wickedness increases exceedingly. Nothing but the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit can remove the sinful lusts of the human will, and the depravity of the human heart. Gods purpose was, that mankind should form many nations, and people all lands. In contempt of the Divine will, and against the counsel of Noah, the bulk of mankind united to build a city and a tower to prevent their separating. Idolatry was begun, and Babel became one of its chief seats. They made one another more daring and resolute. Let us learn to provoke one another to love and to good works, as sinners stir up and encourage one another to wicked works.

Genesis 11:4 - "And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top mayreach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." - What were these people trying to do? Did they really imagine that they could build a structure tall enough and strong enough to withstand another flood? What of the promise to Noah that God would no more flood the globe in that manner again? Man seems to have a fascination with building taller and taller structures. One good earthquake, and God brings them crashing to the ground! Oh that man would put his energy into learning the ways of heaven, looking for a city whose builder and maker is God, becoming part of His great name - Acts 15:14 - and using the scattering of God to spread the Good Seed of the Kingdom.

Genesis 12 - Abraham has truly been called the Father of the Faithful [though you will look in vain in your Bibles to find that exact title]. At the age of 70, when most people today have already been retired a number of years, Abram chooses to respond to God, and taking his wife and family and retinue of people, leaves the comforts of city life, with their two story houses, flourishing markets, running water and sewerage facilities, to spend the next 105 years living in a tent, in a land he has never seen. Yet for all his greatness, Abraham needed reassurance, he made mistakes, he told lies, he made disastrous decisions, his faith took many years to develop... and God was patient with him. You will no doubt have drawn comfort from the fact that every patriarchal family suffered serious dysfunction... but Gods strength is made perfect in our weakness.

a) 12:7,8 The first altars to God in the Promised Land were built by Abraham
b) God didnt say, "Stay where you are, Abraham, and I will make you a great nation." God had
chosen His land, and His people had to go to it

Not too long after the flood, people forgot God's way and embarked upon their own system of worship. One expression of this arrogance was the building of the Tower of Babel. The tower was, actually, a ziggurat (terraced pyramid). Ziggurat means to build on a raised area. The people built this structure as an expression of their desire to reach into heaven; and acted as a visual (religious) rallying point that all could see from a distance. This was probably done by the instigation of Nimrod who was the influential leader of that time.

Yahweh was displeased with what He saw and scattered the people throughout the earth in their various language groups. As they journeyed they took with them the idolatrous forms of worship that Nimrod had introduced in Babylon. Today, in different religions throughout diverse regions of the world, these influences can be seen. Have you ever considered why the world's great Cathedrals and temples have steeples and spires that reach upward to heaven?

Abram was called by God to leave his home in Haran and go to Canaan (

Gen 12:4,5).Haran was situated north of the River Euphrates. And so, Abram had to cross the Euphrates to journey south to Canaan. Subsequently, he was called a Hebrew, a term coming from the verb ābhar meaning to cross over (14:13). Abram had crossed over the river from a land of idolatry to the Promised Land. This, of course, is a figure of baptism. Through the waters of baptism, we have crossed over from idolatry to newness of life which will find its true expression in the Kingdom (our Promised Land).

Abram, the chosen of God, had to go to Egypt because of famine. Later, the chosen nation of Israel would have to do the same thing (

Gen 12:2-3 Once again when we take a look at this covenant made to Abram, we see that it is made up of seven parts, making it a compete and perfect covenant.

Will make of thee a great nation.Will bless thee.
Make thy name great.
Thou shalt be a blessing.
I willbless them that bless thee.Curse him that curseth thee.In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

12:10-20. We see here a story of deception and unfavourable behaviour from Abraham. We see him make his way to Egypt - and we can see from what little detail we have that this was not an appropriate move for a man of faith. Spiritually, to 'go into Egypt' is never a good thing.

Maybe we should conclude that he should have had faith that God would see him through the famine? Clearly Abraham had things to learn, and it seems that he did not cement that learning until Gen 14 when he makes the choice between the riches of the King of Sodom and the blessing and bread and wine of Melchizedek (14:17-24).

It would seem logical that the time needed for acquisition of this required learning which Abraham needed in God's eyes, was the primary factor in God keeping the fulfilment of His promise to Abraham for such a long time into his life. What marvellous faith this man had in the end, but it seems that he had somewhat less at this point in his life in today's chapter.

Abram was considered righteous because he believed Yahweh (Gal 3:6). He is, thus, recorded as one of Yahweh's faithful (Heb 11:8-10). As we hear about Yahweh's promises to Abram, we should take careful note. The reason is, that whatever promises were given to him applies to true believers in Christ (Gal 3:29).

12:12,13 Abram tried to lean to his own understanding rather than rely on Yahweh's guidance (see Prov 3:5,6). It seems that he told a half-truth. Sarai was, indeed, Abram's half-sister (Gen 20:12). There is much to be gained from Abram's example. But, let us rely on our Heavenly Father's direction rather than our own understanding.

11:4 The thinking of the flesh has not changed and of man wanting to make a name for himself, this year the worlds newest tallest building is due to be completed in Dubai. These tallest structures are a show of confidence, pride and affluence. Yet all these edifices which man builds to make a name for himself above God's, will meet a time when once again God will put in place one language and a united people. As we read in Zeph 3:9, a people not building a name for themselves but rather united in praise and glory in serving God.

11:6 both times the word 'one' is used in this verse the meaning is to be properly united, this is also the same for both occurrences in v1. This shows us that the people were very much united in what they were doing and v6 spells out the power of being united even though in this instance a negative way. We are reminded that Paul many times exhorts us to be united/of one mind, because by being united we can achieve so much more by God's grace 1Cor 1:10, Eph 4:16, Phil 1:27.

v 1-5First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past
The Kingdom was intimately connected with Israel. The following important points of Israel's history are to be carefully noted.
1. Abraham was to be called the father of a great nation Gen 12:1-5
2. Isaac, Abraham's son has a son called Jacob Gen 16 go there for more references
3. Jacob's name was changed to Israel Gen 28:13-14 go there for more references
4. Israel has 12 sons Gen 35:21-26
5. Israel, his sons and families went into Egypt Gen 37 Gen 42-46 Acts 7:1-18
6. 12 tribes of Israel descended from the 12 sons of Israel. They remained in Egypt until the 400 years expired. Gen 15:13 go there for more references
7. At the end of this time, God raised up Moses to be their deliverer. Ex 2-4 Acts 7:18-36
8. The Wilderness Journey from Egypt to Canaan was 40 years long. Exo 16:35 go there for more references.

During the 40 years wilderness journey, the nation became organised, laws were given, officials appointed, the commonwealth of Israel came into existence and BECAME KNOWN AS THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Exo 19:6 go there for more references.

Gen 12:1 First Principles>Kingdom of God
1. The Kingdom of God existed in the past Gen 12:1-5
2. The Kingdom of God was overturned Exo 19:5
3. Restoration of God's Kingdom clearly foretold Eze 21:25-27
4. Restored Israel to be God's Kingdom Acts 1:3,6
5. The Gospel concerns the Kingdom of God Acts 4:23
6. The Kingdom of God will be everlasting and worldwide Dan 2:44First Principles: For more aspects of First Principles go to Acts 8:12

Gen 12:2First Principles>Promises made to the Fathers
God has unfolded His purpose in the past by promises made at certain stages of human history. Peter calls them exceeding great and precious promises by which we might become partakers of the divine nature 2Pet 1:3-4.
The first promise was made when Adam had transgressed God's law in Eden, and revealed that one would be born whom sin would be overcome and through whom all the evil that resulted from sin would be abolished. Gen 3:15.
1. The hope of the Christian in the promises - Paul's confession - go to Acts 28:20
2. The Promises to Abraham - go to Gen 12:2-7
3. The Promises were repeated to:
a. Isaac - go to Gen 26:2-4
b. Jacob - go to Gen 28:13-14
c. David - go to 2Sam 7:12-16
4. The Promises have not yet been fulfilled - go to Heb 11:39-40
5. The Promises were made on oath - go to Gen 22:16
6. God cannot lie - go to Heb 6:13
7. The Promises are to be established in Christ - go to Acts 13:32-33
8. The future fulfilment of the Promises:
a. National - go to Jer 31:10
b. Personal - go to Luke 13:28
c. Ancestral - go to Matt 1:1
d. International - go to Jer 31:10
9. All the earth will be filled with God's glory Num 14:20-21, Hab 2:14First Principles> For information about other First Principles topics, go to Acts 8:12

If there was ever a time of world wide communication and the storing up of knowledge as it was in Babel, it must be today. With the low cost of the printed word in books and magazines, and the wealth of information and experience stored on the internet, we, like never before, are able to take advantage of the great minds around us, and those who have gone before us, to build on the foundations others have already laid. In a society like this we have made and can make greater advances in technology than ever before. Along with the growth in technology also comes he spreading of ideas that take us away from God and encourage immorality.

In Babel, because the people were all together in one place and had one language, they were able to build their "tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth." (Gen 11:4) This is just what people have started to do today with the mapping of DNA, advances of computer and communication technology, and more. God's comment was, "If they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them." (v.6)

In many ways we too are heading toward that realm of limitless possibilities. But God put a stop to it all in Babel. One day soon he will put a stop to it all in our world too. So let us not get carried away with the "greatness" of our society, but always remember that God is greater than us all.

Is it plausible Nimrod directed the building of the tower of Babel? What might the tower of Babel/Babylon and Nimrod/land of Nimrod echo as regards the latter days?

Gen 11:1-4,6-9: V1 - "...one 'language'<8193> and of one 'speech'<1697>" ("speech" suggests a topic of discussion); V2 - "Shinar"; V3 - they used brick (bricks made by man from the earth not God made) and tar in the mortar instead of stone; V4 - "...let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto 'heaven'<8064>; and let us make 'us a name'<8034>, lest 'we be scattered abroad'<6327>..." (they were prideful and didn't rely on God); V6 - "begin"<2490> (can mean "to profane, defile"), "they have imagined"<2161> (can mean "to plan, think; usually evil"); V7 - "...'confound'<1101> their language..." (1Cor 14:33 - "...God is not the author of 'confusion'<181>..." - by confounding their language God was deterring sin and confusion); V8 - "So the Lord scattered them abroad..."; V9 - "Therefore is the name of it called 'Babel'<894>...".

12:2 That Abram was to be made into a ‘great nation’ is a reason why he keeps himself separate from the inhabitants of the land. He was a foreign national; - but the nation to which he belonged had not been made yet. Our ‘new nation’ has. We are citizens of God’s kingdom and as such don’t belong in this world’s organisations. Thus we are conscientious objectors.

11:27-30 This is another of the regular genealogies in Genesis which set the scene for events which are recorded immediately after the genealogy. So, rather than being a simple family tree, they set the structure for the subsequent events – in this case the promises to Abram.

Considering Genesis 11 and Genesis 12 we read of the tower of Babel – Gen 11:1-9 and the call of Abram in Gen 12:1. Separating those two incidents are family tree details. No historical data. Thus we are expected to see a connection between those two events. Simply put. The men who built the tower were interested in planning their own future whereas Abram was content to do what God requested, having no plans of his own.

Near the beginning of the Bible is this story of an unsuccessful effort to build a tower that would reach into heaven - the tower of Babel. Near the end of the Bible in Rev. 21 is Jesus' description of a "heavenly" city, New Jerusalem. What are some of the major contrasts between the two?

A chart form may be best to show these contrasts:

Babel New Jerusalem

1. To heaven 1. From heaven

2. For glory of men 2. For glory of God

3. A false religion (implied) - 3. A true religion

to honor their own knowledge and expertise

4. Incomplete 4. Finished, perfect

5. Priests of human appointment 5. Saints made "kings and priests" by the

An aside here on the word "Babel". For years I just assumed that the word literally meant "confusion" due to what is said in v. 9 - "That is why it was called Babel - because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world." But if you look in your marginal footnote, you'll likely see the following - "That is Babylon; Babel sounds like the Hebrew for confused." In looking into this further, I found out that the Hebrew word for "confuse" is actually "balal" which is similar but one letter different (the "l" and "b"). The actual meaning of Babel is likely "gate of God". And in Old Testament times, a gate was the place in the city where judgments were made. Remember that Lot sat in the gate of Sodom (Gen 19:1) likely as a judge. And Jesus, Abraham's seed, will one day possess the gate of his enemies (Gen 22:17). So here Babel was an appropriate name for 2 reasons: 1) there God sat injudgment on men's willful disregard of His law 2) by confounding their language.

For thousands of years men have sought for a one world government, one world religion, and one world monetary system. We read in Gen 11 about the first attempt to establish a New World Order by a united humanity of the generations following Noah’s Flood, who spoke a single language and migrated from the east. They came to the land of Shinar and built the Tower of Babel, which God destroyed and confounded their language.
Adolph Hitler said on January 30, 1941 at the Berlin Sports Palace: “The year 1941, will be, I am convinced, the historical year of a great European New Order.” During WWII, Hitler declared: “National Socialism will use its own revolution for establishing a new world order.” Hitler’s philosophies are embraced by many world leaders. Just listen to their rhetoric.
Mikhail Gorbachev in his historic address to the United Nations on December 7, 1988, made this dogmatic and prophetic statement: “Further global progress is now possible only through a quest for universal consensus in the movement towards a new world order.
President George H.W. Bush said on September 11, 1990:“We stand today at a unique and extraordinary moment. The crisis in the Persian Gulf, as grave as it is, also offers a rare opportunity to move toward a historic period of cooperation. Out of these troubled times, our fifth objective – a new world order – can emerge...”
Vice President Joe Biden recently stated: “The affirmative task we have now is to create a new world order.”
The new Roman Catholic pope, Pope Francis, has announced his ambition to unite the world’s religions of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. He is hopeful to establish a one world religion. In March 2013, Francis declared: “...It is important to intensify dialogue among the various religions, and I am thinking particularly of dialogue with Islam” declaring that he and Islam worship the same God! This is totally in opposition to the apostle Paul’s teaching in 2Cor 6:14-17.
How close was Malachi’s prophecy on the last pope? The prophecy described the last pope as being “Petrus Romanus.” Pope Francis was born Francesco di Pietro di Bernardone. Pietro is Peter. Pope Francis is also of Italian descent, so the Romanus applies too. The last pope is also described as being the Black Pope. Pope Francis is of the Jesuit order. Petrus means rock or stone, and the "stone of Rome" is a black stone. The head of the Jesuits is called the Black Pope, black tied to the Jesuits.
The global economy of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa has already begun to take place to establish a new monetary system. This prompted India’s trade minister to say that these countries will“have a defining influence on the global order of this century.”
The U.S. President, Barack H. Obama campaigned with the slogan: “Change we can believe in.” Change is coming, but the change will bring about not a new world order, but a new world disorder. Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., in Foreign Affairs, July/August 1995 said: “We are not going to achieve a new world order without paying for it in blood as well as in words and money.” David Rockefeller said in a statement to the United Nations Business Council in September 1994, “We are on the verge of a global transformation. All we need is the right major crisis and the nations will accept the new world order.”
Change is upon us. The climate is in chaos, economic upheaval threatens to unravel financial institutions globally, tensions continue to rise among ethnic groups, social unrest around the globe, the planet’s magnetic field is weakening, the biosphere is under increasing amounts of ecological pressure from natural disasters like volcanic eruptions, and rising food demands from an ever-exploding population, tectonic plates continue to shift and sift the planet from one disaster to another.
We are on the verge of the return of Messiah in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up (2Pet 3:10).

11:10-31 The move away from historical narrative about the tower of Babel to deal with family trees should not stop us seeing the relationship between the tower of Babel and the call of Abram. The call of Abram is the next historical event recorded after the Tower of Babel. The family tree is introduced to set a framework for the history that was to follow.

Gen 12:10-20 - Abram somewhat echoes Christ in that both went to Egypt, and the lives of both bridegrooms were good as dead (though both lives were restored) due to the bond with their beautiful bride (the body of faithful believers). The brides encounter bondage to sin and death (symbolized by Pharoah of Egypt) but are freed to the bridegroom.

12:4 “so Abram departed” is such a simple statement. However the move was a massive change in his circumstances. We should remember that he did not know what the outcome would be – he acted in faith believing that his God would keep His word. Are we so confident in His promises?

Gen 11:10Noah was blessed with long life 950yrs (Gen 9:29) and permitted to see 8 generations of his offspring through the line of Shem. The Psalmist writes, “Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!”(Psa 71:18-19). This also suggests a link with faithful Noah. The Lord had indeed done great things in the life of Noah!

Genesis

Father - Son

Years

11:10

Shem's son Arphaxad born

2

After flood

11:12

Arphaxad's son Salah born

35

age at birth of his son

11:14

Salah's son Eber born

30

age at birth of his son

11:16

Eber's son Peleg born

34

age at birth of his son

11:18

Peleg's son Reu born

30

age at birth of his son

11:20

Reu's son Serug born

32

age at birth of his son

11:22

Serug son Nahor born

30

age at birth of his son

11:24

Nahor's son Terah born

29

age at birth of his son

See * below

Terah’s son Abraham born

130

age at birth of his son

Years from the flood to birth of Abraham

352yrs

* Terah’ died at the age of 205yrs in Haran (Gen 11:32) and at this time Abraham at the age of 75yrs (Gen 12:4), left Haran (Acts 7:4). This suggests that Terah was 130yrs old when Abraham was born. Therefore Noah died 2 years before Abraham was born.

In Gen 11:31 it says that Terah took Abram and Lot and Sarai to Haran. It does not mention Nahor and his family, yet we know that they too made there way to Haran. IN Gen 27 we read when Jacob is being sent away by Isaac.

Gen_27:43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;. It would seem likely that all of Terah's family made the journey and settled there only Abram left to go into Canaan.

12:18-20 This is the first time that Abram learns that he has misjudged other people. He had presumed, rather arrogantly, that Pharaoh had not got any moral scruples. We do well to take the lesson to ourselves. It does not follow that people around us who do not worship the God of Israel have no moral values.

14 - This Psalm is recorded twice (Psa.53) It must therefore be of special significance. It is almost word for word, with just one or two phrases changed just before the final verse. This final verse gives us great hope in the promises of God, where the rest of the Psalm shows us the folly of going other ways.

14:2-3 This language is used by Paul [Romans 3:10] as part of his argument which has as its terminus all men are sinners. In so doing he reinforces Jesus' words [Matthew 19:17] when he says that there is non good - echoing Psalm 14:1] but God.

Psa 15 - A beautiful Psalm which teaches us the way to please our Father.

Psa 16 - This Psalm was possibly written by David when he was fleeing from Absalom. The instruction in the night season [v7] could answer to when David was surrounded by his faithful men in Mahanaim - 2 Samuel 17:27-29 - it seems that this marked a turning point in David's flight from Absalom.

Psalm 16 - ABSOLUTE TRUST - EGGS AND BASKETS
They say that putting all your eggs into one basket is not a good thing to do - drop the basket and all your eggs get broken. This may be the case when it come to things of this world - money, possessions, friendships, employment and so on, because none of them are reliable and any could break on us without warning. But it is a different story when it comes to god. As far as God is concerned, he wants us to put all our eggs into his basket because we can be sure that he will never let the basket drop. We can trust God absolutely.
This Psalm is a picture of the implicit trust that the Psalmist had in God. God was his refuge, his safe place to hide in times of trouble where nothing and no-one could harm him. God was the best thing in the Psalmists life. He says, "apart from you I have no good thing." If thats not putting all your eggs into one basket, I dont know what is! The LORD is his councillor and instructor. He is his example, his friend and his support. He has made God his security and his joy. He has absolute trust and confidence in God - much like a very young child places the same confidence and trust in their father. He is the same God today as he was then. Put your eggs in his basket and place your absolute trust in him.

14:6 Whilst the AV has because the Lord … the RV has but the Lord .. which makes far more sense. Despite the way the wicked treat the poor (in spirit) God is their deliverer and will cause them to stand at the last.

15:1 David was not asking who? because he did not know. Rather he was asking so that he could outline the things that he knew would enable him to inherit the kingdom. We should do likewise - think about those things which please the father - Philippians 4:8

16:8-11 If, as I suggested last year, that David wrote this Psalm because of the uprising of Absalom, these verses, whilst also speaking of Jesus, take on great significance in David's day. He got to the point when he knew that God would deliver him from Absalom.

Psalm 15:2 - The true citizen of Zion, "speaks the truth in his heart."

Psalm 16:9 - The Lord Jesus Christs "heart was glad" when He faithfully considered the certainty of His resurrection from the dead.

Our heart is in that list somewhere.

Psalm 15:5 - "He that putteth not out his money to usury." What do these words mean for us today. We all take interest when the banks pay it, so do we believe that these words do not apply to Gentiles who have embraced the Promises? Under the Law, a brother who was blessed with this worlds goods, was bound to share the blessings of God with his poor brother who might have fallen on hard times - Lev 25:35-38. Only the principle was required to be repaid. The brother blessed with abundance was not permitted to extract more from his brethren than what the Lord required... which was simply the principle sum, nothing extra. So the lesson for today? Do we expect more from our brethren than what the Lord has required or commanded? God requires that we be tough on ourselves, but magnanimous or open handed to our brother - Deut 15, Matthew 5:29-30.

Thought for the Day

"Our duty is not to see through one another... but to see one another through!

Psa 14- The ruler (Matt 19:17) should have realised that Jesus would reprove him for his flattery – Psa 14:1 shows clearly that there is none good.

Psa 15 - Following last year’s comment maybe, when you mark your Bible, you would underline the repeated use of ‘He that’ which provides a summary of the way in which we have to behave.

16:4 Those who ‘hasten after another God’ are Absalom and his followers. They were not only rejecting David, the Lord’s anointed. By their rejection of David they were rejecting God. God had explained this type of relationship to Samuel (1Sam 8:7)

"Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, Nor take up their names on my lips." Psa 16:4

What a strange thing for David to say. Why would he want to offer someone's blood offering anyway? That was the task of a priest or Levite.

In v5 David confesses that God is the portion of his inheritance. He proclaims that he is glad with that portion allotted to him. He says the same in Psa 119:57 "You are my portion, O LORD". This portion can be found in Num 18:20-24. God had told the children of Levi that they were to have no share in the dividing up of the land. Everyone else was to have a portion, but their portion would be to do the service of the Lord, for which they would receive an adequate living. God said "I am your portion and inheritance".

In saying what he did, David was declaring that he wanted God to be his inheritance. He loved the things of God far more than any temporary inheritance he could gain in this life. By offering himself in this service, he had become the same as a Levite, and as such he saw it as part of his duty to present to God the offerings of the people. This status as a servant to God has always been open to anyone who genuinely desires it, and are chosen by Him according to His foreknowledge. It is gained by separating oneself to Him (Exo 32:26). Some examples are Melchisedek, Moses, David, Samuel, Samson, and John. Are we amongst them?

Psalm 14 A description of the morally foolish man and the extent of ungodliness in the earth. Rom 3:10-12. Psalm 15 A description of the character and actions of those who will invited to dwell in God's house. Psalm 16 An expression of joy and delight for God's present and future blessings...... particularly the resurrection Acts 2:25-31

This Psalm should be read alongside other chapters in the Bible like Matthew 24, Luke 21, Mark 13, 2 Timothy 3, 2 Thessalonians 2 and with the days of Noah and Lot in mind. It no doubt applied to the life of David as he wrote it, but I believe it applies to our days even more strongly.

Today, more than ever, with the influence of Darwinism, Communism and Humanism, people are saying that there is no God. We come from a Big Bang, they say, and evolved out of a soup in an ever progressing circle to what we see today. For that reason many question and rebel against the moral laws of God, believing that they are nothing but the stuffy traditions of a past generation. I understand from what I hear that two of the reasons for sending robots up to Mars is to search for life on that planet - and hence to prove evolution, and secondly to prove that there is no God.

David summed all this up so well in verse 1, "The fool says in his heart,'There is no God.' They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good."

It will not be long before this Psalm reaches its dramatic conclusion. Jesus Christ will appear in glory from Zion to save the righteous and to put an end to the godless society in which we live. "Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!" (v.7)

16:11 - here we have a lovely picture of everlasting beauty - fullness of joy. The word fullness <07648> conveys the idea of being filled - satisfied - satiated, as after a good meal. Here God is offering to fill us with joy, to fill us with life, to fill us with pleasures for evermore. Let us never forget his promises. Psa 17:15, Acts 2:28

Psa 16:8-11 speaks of Christ. Of that there is no doubt, because Peter says so in Acts 2:25. I wonder if David wrote the whole Psalm to refer to Christ? If that is so, the expression in Psa 16:6, where he says that the lines, or boundaries, or coasts, have fallen to him in pleasant places, also refers to Christ. Jesus would know of this Psalm, and would therefore look at the land of Israel and apply it to His reign in the Kingdom.

Sometimes the Psalms can have dual applications or part of a Psalm may refer to one individual and another part of the same Psalm could be messianic, etc. We run into the same situation at times when reading of the last days, be they 70AD or future. I agree with David Simpson there are at least some messianic applications to Psalm 16. V.5 would seem to have a messianic application referring to "my cup". V.10 (as mentioned) "nor let your Holy One see decay/corruption" would seem to have a messianic application (Acts 2:29-32). V.11 - may have a messianic application "...path of life, in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand" (Psa 110:1;Acts 3:21;Heb 1:13).

14:4Godlessness is something that is in the world and has, therefore, an impact upon us. It is the Godless, not the righteous, who ‘eat up’ God’s people. An example is the way in which the Jewish leaders Luke 20:47 devoured widows’ houses. The wicked, by their actions, undermine the faith of the faithful.

15:4It is wrong to ‘vow and pay not’ Ecc 5:4. Our word should be our bond. Our Father is always reliable. If we are to emulate Him we should likewise be reliable, even if our promise is inconvenient to us.

16:8So despite the fact that David is fleeing from Absalom and he is separated from the house of God David’s focus is still on his god just as it had been from his early years – Psa 132

15:2 Whilst, under the law of Moses, men might have thought that it was all about observing detail and knowing – a matter of the head – what one should do, David realised that if the law did nothing to affect his heart then there was little point in his service to God.

16:7In saying ‘my reins also instruct me in the night season’ David is showing us that he meditates upon Scripture. His ‘reins’ here speak of his mind. The mind can only ‘instruct’ if it has been instructed already through reading the Scriptures.

16:5-6David speaks as if he is talking about a parcel of land. However David sees his inheritance differently. It is not just a parcel of land. It is ‘the Lord’ because he sees his inheritance as being forever as he speaks of his own resurrection 16:11 speaks of David having pleasure ‘for evermore’.

15:4 We are bound by our word. Even if what we have said turns out to be inconvenient. There is an English expression ‘An Englishman’s word is his bond’. Whilst this is not a Biblical phrase it encapsulates the principles of the truth and as such is not country specific. We might say ‘a Christian’s word is his bond’ so when we say we will do something we do it.

16:8 The word “always” is crucial. We can all, from time to time, set God before our eyes. It is especially easy when we are with fellow believers but ever so hard when in the company of those, or those things, which do not have God at the centre. It follows, therefore, that the company of fellow believers is to be preferred above company with those things which do not focus on God. But how easy it is to choose unhelpful situations rather than helpful.

"Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He ... who speaks the truth from his heart."(Psa 15:1-2)

If we want to be one of those people whose dwelling is in God's sanctuary and on his holy hill, who speak the truth from our hearts, there are two things to consider.

Firstly, in order to get the truth out of our heart, we have to put it in. In order to speak truth from our heart, we have to fill our hearts to overflowing with the truth we want to come out. We are a little bit like a computer in this respect, in that all we can get out is what we have put in.

Secondly, in order to be this person, we need to open our mouths and speak the truth that comes out of our hearts. It is no use just having truth, truth needs to be shared. We need to let people know of the way God wants them to live, God's principles, his likes and dislikes. We need to be honest in our speaking, not swayed by money, threats, promises, or awed by the looks or status of another person.

So let's work on getting God's truth into our hearts and sharing it with others. In doing so we will be one more small step to living the way God wants us to live and nearer to his promise of dwelling with him.

The British scholar, preacher, and one of the most witty and prolific authors of the 17th Century wrote: “… he does not believe who does not live according to his belief. We can say we believe in God, but do we put our faith and trust in Him?

Here, the word “fool” is the Hebrew, nabal, # <5036>. Abigail’s husband was named Nabal, and he was a fool (cf. 1Sam 25:3,25)!

This verse is not talking about an atheist. A nabal may believe in God and claim that God is in his life, but sees God as an “absentee landlord” and lives as if He did not exist. Now that is being foolish!

16:9-10 It is the lot of all mortals for their bodies to corrupt and moulder to dust. However this was not to be so for Jesus. After three days he was raised to immortality. That realisation caused his heart to “rejoice”. The promise to Jesus is also extended to us. Do our hearts “rejoice” at the prospect of being freed from the corruption associated with sin and death?

"Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?"15:1

To answer this question, it is a little known fact that there was someone who lived in the tent of God. It is said of Joshua that he "departed not out of the tabernacle" (Exo 33:11). He therefore becomes the example of the character we must adopt in order to dwell with God. Samuel also lived in or around the Tabernacle while he grew up (see 1Sam 3:1-15). Take a look at the list of character traits in v2-5. Can you find examples of this in the lives of Joshua and Samuel?

Every time we see a picture of the president of the United States of America, there is always someone, or a small group of men in suits with ear-pieces in their ears, standing around him. Bodyguards. No matter where he goes, whichever way he turns, his bodyguards will be right there with him. Presidential security must cost a lot of money!

David had a similar position to an American president. He knew how important security was. This is what he said about his security force: "I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand I will not be shaken." (Psa 16:8). David put God in front of him, and in return, like a team of security guards, God surrounded David.

The same security is available for us today. Like David, all we need to do is to keep God in front of us as the focus of our lives. In return, God will make sure that whatever happens to us is only for our best.

Reading 3: Matthew 8

v.19 - A scribe comes and makes a claim that is not, it would seem, from the heart, since the context suggests that he was put off by Jesus' reply. But we must mean it. Luke 14:25-27, then v.33. Peter really thought he meant it John 13:36-38 but he didn't. What do we think/say/do?

Chapters 8 & 9 list 10 miracles8:2 a leper8:5 centurion's servant8:14 Peter's mother in law8:24 stilling the storm8:28 two possessed with devils9:18 The raising of Jairus' daughter9:20 The woman with an issue of blood9:27 Two blind men9:32 A dumb man

You will notice that the miracles are blocked together in the gospel record though it is doubtless the case that Jesus performed miracles all the time. The blocking together of the miracles is part of the way in which the writers, by the Holy Spirit, develop themes in the gospels. It is our privilege to review those themes.

Jesus is Lord! What other man could ever have stood up in a boat in the middle of a raging storm, rebuked the wind and the waves and had the result of a total and complete calm? Jesus had the powers of nature at his command and he could control them at will. What awesome power it must be that can control the clouds and the wind!

But the wind and the rain are not the only type of storms that come into our lives. Sometimes our schedules and the events that go on around us get out of control and we find ourselves stressed and wondering where it will all end and if we will ever get out of it. Sometimes we feel pressured by people, or sickness, and other trials press down on us. Other times we find that all we relied on or took comfort in is taken and moved. But Jesus is still Lord! He is still able to calm storms and especially able to calm our storms - whatever type they may be. All we need to do is to cry, "Lord, save us." May he calm your storms too.

:17 In quoting Isaiah 53:4 and applying it to Jesus' healing work we see that Isaiah 53 speaks of far more than Jesus crucifixion. His sacrifice was his whole life. He identified with those he came to save.

Matthew 8:12 - "...there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. " Four times in Matthew's record, he uses these words to paint a very poignant picture. Those described have not simply missed out on something that could not have been theirs anyway... the "weeping and gnashing of teeth" describes the absolute anguish of those who now realise that the prize is not theirs because of their own folly! It is not like they have missed out on the "Lotto" - which they did not expect to win anyway... they have missed out on eternal life... and it was all their own fault. God desperately wants you and me in His great Kingdom. He did not create us to dash us to pieces in judgement. If we miss out on the cherished goal, it will be because we have determined not to be there, either by our actions or by our attitudes.

Matthew 8:21 - "And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. " It is by no means certain that this man's father was dead. The probability is, that this disciple means that, after his father is dead and buried, he will then be free to follow Jesus. "At the present day, an Oriental, with his father sitting by his side, has been known to say respecting his future projects: ‘But I must first bury my father!’." Jesus wanted first things first. Some feel that this man was not prepared to commit to Jesus, until after the will had been read.... which may have been many years hence. Leave the dead to bury their own dead. The spiritually dead - Eph 2:1 - are always on hand to bury the physically dead, if one’s real duty is with Jesus. It is a good deed to bury the dead, it is a better one to preach Christ.

8:4,13 Notice Jesus told the leper and the centurion to ‘go thy way’ which is then contrasted (:19,21) two who would follow Jesus – on their terms and finally (:23) the disciples actually did follow Jesus.

It seems that v.2 cannot carry straight on from v.1. In v.1 there were multitudes following him but the happenings and the dialogue of v.2-4 do not seem likely to have happened in front of a lot of others

Matt 8:26-27 Not only would the men marvel at Christ's power over the sea and the waves, but they also would have marvelled at the fulfilment of the 89th Psalm. Psa 89:9"Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them."

Here we notice that Peter is married (v.14). Peter is considered by Catholics to be the first Pope, and yet that church, ironically, forbids its priests to marry. Scripture warns us that there would be a departure from the Truth, and this is one example (1Tim 4:1-3). We must always look to scripture as the sole authority for spiritual matters (2Tim 3:16).

v.5-13 - Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. But here we have a man who was prepared to ask Jesus to heal from a distance with no desire to witness, and with a recognition that these things could be done without the laying on of hands. And this man was a gentile.

V.8 The faith of the centurion points forward to the work of the apostles during the first century, as recorded for us in the Acts. More often, than not, it was the Gentiles who accepted the truth as taught by Paul, and those with him.

There’s a hidden meaning in the first part of this chapter. a) Jesus comes down from mountain, and heals a leper. In symbol, He comes from God in Heaven, to heal the outcast and sinning Jews (Matt 8:1-4).
b) Matt 8:5-13He heals a centurion’s servant. Just as the leper would have been a Jew, so a centurion would have been a Gentile. So this miracle is for the non-Jews. Finally c), Matt 8:14-15 Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law. She was woman, a type of the Bride = us, please God.

V.7 Christ's answer to the centurion was all that anyone could have wished, and far more than he expected. It was a thrilling, concise, and positive assurance "I will come and heal him". The pronoun "I" is emphatic, as if to say. "I myself' or "Without doubt I will come". We think back to yesterday's reading "Ask, and it shall be given you."

27 Man can do a lot of things, he can repair a large number of things, such as an automobile, a leak in the plumbing system. A mother can heal a major hurt with a kiss. A surgeon can remove diseased parts of the body. Many family problems are solved by professional counsellors. But, the weather, man can only complain about it. Here we see that Jesus not only commands the sea and the winds, they obey him.

How much trust do we put in God? Do we worry about the circumstances of our life when they seem to be out of control? Do we lose sleep because of what is going on in our lives?

Possibly one of the most out-of-control times we could have in our lives is in a storm at sea. Jesus was in a storm at sea. It was not just a storm either. The Bible says it was a "furious storm" that came up on the lake without warning. (Matt 8:24) It's bad enough being in a furious storm, but in this particular storm the wind and waves were so ferocious that they swept over the boat. They were in danger of sinking!

Jesus trusted in God. He wasn't worried about the circumstances that surrounded him. He knew that God would look after him. So even in the midst of that turbulent time, Jesus could sleep. He trusted God. He was not worried. Jesus was so at peace that he could sleep when everything was out of control. Waves sloshing over the boat did not disturb him, but he was alert to the cry of his disciples.

Let us try and have the same sort of trust and peace knowing that God always works for our good, and that at our slightest cry we will be heard.

We cannot explain the miracles that the Lord performed because they do not comply with known natural laws (see Bro. John Bilello's book Miracles for some ideas). Take for example the quietening of the storm (vs.24-26). Firstly, this was no mere gust of wind but a furious storm which put life and limb in danger. Jesus, with one rebuke, instantly brought about great calm. Normally, after a storm abates, there would be water sloshing about for some time until it finally came to rest. But here the transition was from storm to calm instantly - what a miracle! Who can understand the power of Yahweh? (Job 26).

Vs.28,31 People, today, who have mental illnesses are not considered as being possessed with demons. Symptoms and behaviours are better understood, and labels have been attached to identify them. The first century had no such nomenclature. And yet, there are people today, who believe in demons, as evil spirits, that exist to roam the world to torment people. They believe that these superhuman entities have been allowed to move freely, throughout history, to affect their nasty deeds. But Yahweh, creator of all things, did not make supernatural phenomena to torment individuals. However, He did create evil (Isa 45:7). That means Yahweh created the conditions whereby the negative expressions of imperfect human nature could manifest themselves. Mental illness is one such presentation.

The request from the man to bury his father (v.21) was not that his father had just died. Jesus would have allowed him time out to do this. When Elisha was called by Elijah, Elisha requested time to bid farewell to his parents, and this was granted (1Kin 19:19-21). A temporary time out to put affairs in order is acceptable. However, the request of the man wishing to bury his father was different. He was asking for time until his father was dead before following Jesus. This open-ended amount of time was not acceptable to the Lord. We should not let things in our lives delay our service to the Lord.

8:3 That Jesus ‘touched’ the leper shows that he identified with those he came to save – see in particular the way that Isa 53:4 is used in Matt 8:17. The prophecy teaches that Jesus' association with those who came to save is what the prophecy is talking about.

"A man with leprosy came and knelt before him (Jesus) and said, 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.' Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' he said, 'Be clean!' Immediately he was cured of his leprosy" (Matt 8:2-3)

Leprosy is a lot like sin. Unless we can be cured of it, it takes hold of us and consumes us until we die. To be leprous is to be an outcast, and so it is with sin. Sin separates us from God. Yes, Jesus cared about the suffering of other people and he was certainly willing to relieve the suffering of this particular man with leprosy. But Jesus' real mission was to "save his people from their sins." (Matt 1:21)

Jesus was willing to save one man from his leprosy, and he is even more willing to save us from our sins. Living a life of sin leads us to death. "If you are willing ..." the man asked. "I am willing," Jesus replied. It is the same when we repent and ask for our sins to be removed. Jesus is very willing to forgive us and to cure us from the terminal disease that leads to death.

So let's not put up with sin and it's effects any longer, but come to Jesus and ask for healing. He is willing to make us clean.

Have you noticed that the wind and waves, the gentile, the demon possessed and the outcast leper all knew who Jesus was, yet his disciples did not? (Matt 8:27). This is to demonstrate the lesson in the previous chapter (7:21-25): Do we actually know Jesus and do what he asks us?

8:9 When speaking of himself being like Jesus – under authority – the centurion is acknowledging two things. The first being that Jesus did not perform miracles through his own power and second that he understood that the authority he had was unconditional. That is he had total authority of God.

8:24-25 If the disciples recognised Jesus as their saviour they would not have had the anxieties they had, despite the storm. Likewise we would not be anxious about our lives if we truly believed that this life is by transient and belief in Jesus as Messiah will bring everlasting life. A hard thing to do, but a pre-requisite of Jesus’ disciples.

“And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.”

The common practice during the first century AD was to place the body in a cave hewed out of bedrock with a chiseled niche in the wall. When a person died they were immediately buried (cf. Deut 21:22-23; John 19:31; Acts 5:6-10). The initial mourning would last for seven days, a period called shiv’ah. This was followed by a less intense 30-day mourning called shloshim, but the entire mourning period did not end till the flesh was completely decomposed, usually about one year.

After this one-year period, the bones were gathered, washed, and placed in an ossuary and the niche could then be reused for another burial. This was referred to as burial rites (this form of care for the bones), and not to be confused with funeral rites (when the body is placed in the tomb and mourned for). This being the case, it would have been impossible for this disciple to make this request to bury his father if his father had just died. He would have acted contrary to Jewish burial practices! Archaeologists have discovered numerous ossuaries, which attest to this practice.

These passages go beyond the popular opinion of letting the spiritually dead bury the physically dead (as we know it), a conflict of loyalty, or about being covetous in waiting to see what the disciple would inherit. This disciple had requested time to finish the rite of this secondary burial referred to as ossilegium before returning to Jesus. As in the case read in Luke 9:59-60, Jesus answered in a way that would appear stern to us. These disciples already honoured their father by giving him a proper funeral and period of mourning. Jesus was not asking them to dishonour their father contrary to the Fifth Commandment. In each case, Jesus wanted them to keep following him because this concept of a second burial, took on a different meaning in his day - in that rabbinical teaching stated that the complete decomposition of the body atoned for sins! It was a corrupted theological practice, not necessary, and not worth delaying following Jesus! Only Christ’s redemptive work can atone for sins (Acts 4:12; Eph 2:6-9; Heb 9:26), and not rotting flesh!

“Follow me” is the ever-present guiding echo that encases our pilgrim journey as we navigate the challenges of life. It gives us the sense of, “one going in the same way” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words) – the Jesus way - who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

What makes a good teacher? Reading through the gospel of Matthew in chapters 5 - 7, we find an intensive focus on the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Three whole chapters are dedicated to a word-for-word record of Jesus' teaching. People loved to listen to him and by the time he had finished crowds of people had thronged around him to hear what he had to say.

But in Mathew 8 the record switches to a very different tack. Everywhere Jesus went he met people and healed them or met their needs in various different ways. This is what makes Jesus the brilliant teacher that he was. He spoke about giving, praying, having compassion, forgiving, relying on God, and then he went out, and in a very public way, lived the lessons that he taught. He was a teacher who not only said, "Do what I say," but one we could watch and do what he did.

If we want to be teachers like Jesus, we need to do the same. Lessons are great but learning and teaching by example are even better. Teaching by example has a far more lasting effect. So let's make sure we, like Jesus, practice what we preach.

8:4 Jesus’ injunction to the man who was healed not to broadcast that he had been healed was because Jesus wanted people to believe him because of what he taught, not because of the miracles. The miracles were to give credibility to his words, not to eclipse them.

8:5 When we read of a “centurion” we should realise that he was a gentile. As a gentile he makes an appeal on behalf of a Jew! A gentile in authority could see the miracles submitted to the whereas the Jewish authorities who saw the same miracles rejected Jesus’ ministry!